Belgium Procures Five Cessna SkyCourier Aircraft for Special Forces

Belgium has placed an order for five Cessna SkyCourier aircraft to support its Special Operations Forces. The aircraft will be delivered in standard configuration by 2027, after which they will be modified in Belgium by SABCA and Sabena Technics for tactical transport, medical evacuation, crisis response, fire‑support, observation and intelligence‑gathering missions. The fleet will be based at Beauvechain Air Base, forming a dedicated squadron that aims to reach initial operational capability between 2028 and 2029, with two aircraft and crews kept permanently on standby. The procurement was cleared by the Council of State after a legal challenge by De Havilland, which had contested the selection process; other contenders such as the PZL M28 and Dornier 228NXT were also evaluated.